The glass-bead-covered crown of the king of the Joruba people who live in Nigeria. In the Joruba culture, glass beads represent wealth, and they have also been used as currency.

Photo: Jussi Pakkala / Helinä Rautavaara Museum

The Helinä Rautavaara Museum

Cultures converge in the Helinä Rautavaara Museum, which is filled with fascinating objects from around the world. The museum’s four geographic culture yards take visitors on a trip around the world. The collection includes art, ritual objects and utensils from North Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

The museum was named after the donor of the permanent collection, Helinä Rautavaara (1928–1998), whose life work was the documentation of various cultures and religions. Rautavaara became a celebrity during the 1950s as she wrote travel diaries of her travels outside Europe, which were published in a magazine.

The Helinä Rautavaara Museum provides new perspectives on the world through its depiction of multicultural phenomena. In addition to the temporary exhibitions, the museum also provides insightful workshops, performances and a variety of events for the whole family.